New grad + NOC shift

NOADLS · Jul 17, 2015

Are you able to soundproof your bedroom?

Temperature control is another big one. You don't want that to be the difference on whether you sleep well or not.

The younger you are, the better your body will handle the shift. It might be advisable to simulate a few days on your adjusted schedule before starting.

wkl1210 · Jul 17, 2015

Thanks NOADLS! I'm not able to sound proof, but generally the apartment complex I live in is pretty quite. Temperature I can definitely regulate & know my body well enough that I need it to be cool! I'm 26, so I'm guessing that justifies as young haha.. I know I will learn to adjust, it's just that I don't know how to begin with the sleeping schedule!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 17, 2015

Full time nocs...I can't claim to know about these. I did on call nocs 2-3 days straight and mixing in a few pm shifts and college on the other days.

I had a strict routine. I tried to go to bed at about 3. This was enough time to allow my body to sleep from 4-10, get showered and dressed 10-11 and get to work on time.

All my meals and healthy snacks were prepacked for work and I tried to stop for starbucks on the way. I always brought an energy drink also.

After work my routine varied. Sometimes I'd wind down and go to sleep within an hour or 2 of getting home. Sometimes I stayed awake until my 3pm bedtime.

I didn't really do anything else besides work, sleep and prepare for work when I worked nocs.

As an RN student, our clinical rotations feel like nocs because we have to be at the hospital at 5. Waking up at 3 feels a lot like I felt when working nocs.

My routine is basically the same except, I think I'll invest in some room darkening curtains. It's so very hard to go to sleep when the sun is so bright!!!

Good luck to you!

wkl1210 · Jul 17, 2015

@vintagemother thank you! thanks VERY helpful! That definitely helps give me an idea of what my sleep before work schedule should be like! I like it!! What do you (or anyone!) do for sleeping the night before you have a shift... Do you stay up all or night or wake up earlier so you're tired by 3-4pm? Knowing me, I won't be able to sleep 7 hours the night before & then take a 5 hour nap in the after noon!

I will be full time during training (not sure what shift) & then 24 hrs/week-ish once I actually start!

vintagemother, BSN, CNA, LVN, RN · Jul 17, 2015

Aww thanks! I don't "get ready" for my shift by sleeping the matching hours the day prior. And I know another full time noc nurse who does not either. She is a friend of mine who works 3+ 12 hr nocs.

I know a lot of nurses that do. It could be beneficial. If i was looking at full time nocs of consider it.

13grad71 · Jul 17, 2015

I'm noc too and it is not easy. I too never worked nights in my entire life. What I did at first was to sleep at 3 am to 3:30 am a week before I first started. Kinda helped the body adjust. Coffee especially strong coffee helps. In my case, I have no choice but do noc, I have to take the kids to school.

Ruby Vee, BSN · Jul 23, 2015

There are plenty of threads with some great tips for surviving and thriving on night shift. I recommend "Nightshift for Newbies". Do a search for it. Unfortunately, I haven't figured out how to post a link on my iPad.